HILARY TIDE. 17 



JAN. 17. St. Anthony, patriarch of Monks, 



A.D. 356. 



St. Milgithe, virgin of England. 



SS, Sulpitii, Nennius, &c. &c. 



SS. Speusippus, Eleusippus, and Meleusippus, mm. 



Obs. St. Anthony was born at Coma, near Heracleopolis, in 

 ^gypt, in the year 251 ; and, following the recluse eremitical life, 

 and eating fruit and grains, arrived at the great age of 106 years. 

 It is recorded in the Legends that he was tempted by several 

 demons. His visit to St. Paul the hermit is recorded in tJhe life of 

 that saint on the 15th of this month. 



Star Windflower Anemone hortensis flowers. 



This plant, of which so many varieties in colour blow in April 

 and May, were flowers in mild seasons in our gardens. The rnost 

 usual colour is deep crimson, called cochlicoe, and it is this variety 

 which usually flowers in this hybornal season, the others seldom 

 appearing till spring. As the large white flower of the Helleboriis 

 niger is called St. Agnes' Flower, so the Ayiernone hortensis is dedi- 

 cated to St. Anthony, and both at this season are to be seen toge- 

 ther in the bowpots in England and in France, and in the German 

 Blumenbottles, mixed with Laburnum and Evergreens. We have 

 known the Red Star Windflower blow all the winter and spring, 

 producing a succession of flowers from the brumal to the solstitial 

 season. Mr. Smith, in his poem of Amarynthus, gives this reason 

 for naming this flower the Windflower — that it never opens but 

 when the wind blows : 



And then I gather'd rushes, and began 

 To we'ave a garland for you, intertwined 

 With Violets, Hepaticas, Primroses, 

 And coy Anemone, that ne'er uncloses 

 Her lips until they're blown on by the wind. 



Amarynthus, p. 46. 



About this time of year, frogs, invited forth perhaps by a few 

 days of transitory mild weather, are frequently found killed by the 

 frost. 



C2 



